Liquid dispenser



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Patented Dec. 19 1933 LIQUID DISPENSER Newton S. Hillyard, St. Joseph, Mo. Application May 7, 1932. Serial No. 609,901 Claims. (01. 221-94) This invention relates to liquid dispensers and particularly to those of that character for dispensing soap, alcohol and similar liquids used in surgical washrooms, and has for its principal 5 object to provide a dispenser which is mechanically operated by a foot lever.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a lever actuator which may be adjusted relatively to the wash basins with which the dispenser is associated, and to provide a lever which may be folded back against the wall or detached from the valve actuating rod to permit cleaning of the floor.

- It is also an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser having a plurality of dispensing spouts and actuating levers whereby it may be associated with two or three wash basins.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I 'have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a soap dispenser constructed in accordance with my invention and illustrated in association with a wash basin.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view through the receptacle portion of the dispenser, particularly illustrating the dispensing valve.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the adjustable dispensing spout, a part of which is shown in section to better illustrate the connection of the extension members comprising the spout.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the rod arm and rear end of the foot lever.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a dual form oi. dispenser arranged for serving two adjacent wash basins.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the foot lever and its connection with the valveactuating rod.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:-

The dispenser illustrated is particularly designed for support on a wall adjacent a surgeon's wash basin 1. and includes a supporting bracket 2 having an attaching flange 3 through which suitable fastening devices 4 are inserted for securing it to the wall at a point adjacent the side of the basin. The bracket 3 also includes a horizontally extending shelf portion 5 having an up wardly extending peripheral flange 6 to provide a seat 7 for the liquid receptacle 8.

The receptacle 8 preferably comprises a hollow transparent cylinder having its lower end closed by the horizontal portion 5 of the bracket and its upper end closed by a disk-shaped plate 9 complementary to the horizontal portion 5. The plate 9 is provided with a depending flange 10 forming a seat for the upper end of the receptacle, as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

To prevent leakage between the receptacle and 69 the end members, I provide suitable gasket rings 11 and 12 located respectively at the upper and lower ends of the cylinder.

Formed integrally with and projecting upwardly from the central part of the horizontal por- 6i tion 5 is a boss 13 having a threaded socket for receiving a threaded end of a tie rod 14 that projects upwardly through a central aperture 15 formed in the top plate 9. The rod 14 is of sufficient length to extend above the plate and is pro- 1W vided with threads for mounting a clamping nut 16 whereby the upper plate including the cylinder 8 is clamped to the bracket 3.

The plate 9 is provided with a threaded filler opening 17 through which the liquid is poured into the receptacle, the opening being closed by a threaded cap or plug 18. The cap 18 has an air vent 19 to allow the liquid to discharge through a valve port 20 formed in the horizontal portion of the bracket 2.

The valve port 20 is located in a depending boss, 21 formed integrally with the lower face of the bracket at a point spaced from the axis of the tie rod 14. The port 20 is counterbored at its upper end to accommodate a valve ring 22 having a conical-shaped valve seat 23 for seating a coneshaped valve 24. The boss 21 is counterbored at the opposite end to accommodate a suitable packing gland 25 to prevent leakage of liquid around the valve actuating stem 26.

The packing gland 25 includes a sleeve 27 slidably mounted in the counterbore of the boss to compress apacking 28 about the valve stem 26, the gland being retained in position relatively to the packing by a spring 29 having one end bearing against the end of the sleeve and its opposite end against a shoulder 30 formed in a fitting 31.

The fitting 31 includes a threaded upper portion 32 screwed into the counterbore of the-boss 21 and a depending sleeve portion 33 having an intermediate, inwardly extending flange 34 constituting the spring seat 30, and a lower spring seat 35 for a coil spring 36 having its opposite end engaging against a head 3'7 screwed on the end of the valve stem. The spring 36 thus normally retains the valve head in seated position on the valve seat to prevent leaking of the liquid from the container.

Slidable on the sleeve portion 33 of the fitting is a valve actuating tube 38, theupper end of tending through the wall of the tube and into threaded sockets formed in the head, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The lower end of the tube is guidingly supported in a bracket 40 fixed to the wall at a point below the bracket 2 to retain the tube in vertical reciprocating position. .The lower end of the tube extends to a point adjacent the floor line, and is provided with 9. depending reduced portion 41 to attach an actuating lever 42.

The lever 42 includes a substantially horizontally positioned bar pivoted intermediate its ends on a fulcrum member 43 that is supported on the floor. The member 43 includes a diskshaped plate 44 having an upwardly extending bifurcated boss to accommodate the lever 42. The forward end of the lever is provided with a foot pedal 46 and its opposite end is provided with a pin 47 having its ends projecting from opposite sides of the lever to engage a laterally extending arm 48 mounted on the reduced portion of the tube.

The arm 48 includes a sleeve portion 49 to accommodate the reduced extension 41 and is clamped thereto by a set screw 50 mounted in a boss formed on the sleeve, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The arm includes a head portion 51 comprising spaced disk-shaped wings 52 and 53 to accommodate the end of the lever therebetween, and in which are vertically extending slots 54 and 55 to receive the pin 47 of the lever.

Formed on the under face of the arm in line with the space between the wings is a socket 56 to seat the end of the lever when it is in func-.

tional position, as illustrated in full lines, Fig. 1, so that when the pedal portion of the lever is depressed the end of the lever engaging in the socket lifts the arm 48 to move the valve actuating tube in an upward direction to effect opening of the valve 24.

The fulcrum member 43, being movably supported on the floor and the actuating rod being rotatably mounted in the bracket 40 and over the sleeve 33 of the fitting 31, it is apparent that the foot lever may be swung through an arc relav tively to the axis of the rod to position the pedal portion thereof conveniently to the wash basin 1.

It is also apparent that the foot lever may be moved to vertical position, as illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, by fulcruming the end thereof on the pin 4'? so that it may be moved out of th way when cleaning the washroom floor.

It is also apparent that when the lever is moved to vertical position the end thereof is moved out of the socket 56 and it is free to be lifted from between the wings 52 and 53 since the pin may be withdrawn through the slots 54 and 55.

The liquid dispensed through the valve seat 24 is diverted by the packing gland through a lateral port 57 communicating with a vertical port 58 formed in a boss 59 depending from the horizontal portion of the bracket 2, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Rotatably mounted in the lower end of the port 58 is a fitting 60 having a circumferential flange 61 and a threaded extension 62 for mounting the inlet end of a dispensing spout 63.

Sleeved over the threaded end 62 of the fitting is a sleeve 64 having an inwardly extending keeper flange 65 for engaging the flange on the fitting for rotatably retaining the fitting within and against the boss 59, the sleeve 64 being provided with threads 66 for engaging threads formed exteriorly of the boss, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The spout 63 includes a fixed tubular section 6'? extending outwardly upwardly at a slight incline which is secured to the head 37 by screws 39 exand terminating in a cap 68 that retains a packing for sealingly engaging av tubular extension member 69 slidably mounted within the end of the section 67. The outer end of the section 69 is provided with a downwwardly curved outlet 70 through which the liquid is dispensed.

It is apparent that the spout may be swung radially relatively to the container, and that the section 69 may be adjusted longitudinally relatively to the wash basin so that the soap may be discharged therefrom directly over the basin.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the container assumes a substantially elliptical shape to accommodate a pair of oppositely disposed dispensing spouts having identically the same construction as the dispensing spout illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but which are arranged to serve adjacent wash basins. The valves controlling the discharge of liquid to each spout'll and 72 are identical to the construction illustrated in Fig. 2, and are actuated by reciprocating tubes 73 and 74 having laterally extending arms 75 and 76 at their lower ends identical to the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. However, the lower ends of the rods are reciprocably mounted in a bracket 7? having a depending outwardly extending arm 78 carrying a downwardly projecting lug '79 depending between the arms 75 and 76, forming a stop to limit movement of the arms toward each other and provide radial spacing of the pedals 80 and 81. In other respects the construction shown in Fig. 5 is identical to that shown in Fig. 1, except that a dual actuating mechanism is provided whereby soap can be dispensed from a common container to the individual wash basins 82 and 83.

In using a dispenser constructed and assembled as described, the spout 63 may be swung into position toward the wash basin and the extension 69 is adjusted so that the curved discharge of the spout is in position over the sink. The foot pedal 46 may then be moved to convenient position rel atively to the wash basin, so that the operator, by placing his foot on the pedal, rocks the lever to move the rod in an upward direction for unseating the valve 24. Upon unseating the valve, the

'liquid flows through the valve seat, port 20, ports 57 and 58, and through the spout 63. Upon release of pressure on the foot pedal, the spring 36 returns the valve to closed position, aided by the weight of the reciprocating tube or rod.

When the floor is to be cleaned, the pedal may be lifted to the position as shown in dotted lines, Fig. l, or it may be entirely withdrawn from the arm 48.

In case that liquid should congeal and stop any one of the discharge ports, it may be readily displaced by reciprocating the extension 69 in the section 67; the extension 69 serving as a piston to apply pressure on the congealed fluid to displace it through the end of the spout.

In the form shown in Fig. 5 the respective spouts 71 and '72 may be adjusted relatively to the wash basins 82 or 83 and the foot levers may be swung to convenient position to be operated by the person using the basin. 7

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I. In a liquid dispenser of the character de scribed, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a spring normally retaining the valve in closed position, a vertically arranged rod connected with the valve, means for rotatably and reciprocably mounting the rod, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, a foot lever hinged to the arm, and a fulcrum for the foot lever arranged to efiect reciprocation of. the rod and lifting of the valve against tension of the spring when the outer end of the foot lever is depressed.

2. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling fiow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged reciprocating rod operably connected with the valve, a spring for retaining the valve closed and the rod in retracted position, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, spaced wings on the end of the arm having vertically arranged slots and having a socket formed on the under side thereof, a foot lever having a pin mounted in said slot and having a projecting end adapted to extend in said socket, a pedal member at the opposite end of said foot lever, and a fulcrum intermediate the ends of the lever for pivotally mounting said lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the opposite end of the lever efi'ects reciprocation of the rod and opening of the valve.

3. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling fiow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged reciprocating rod operably connected with the valve, a spring for retaining the valve closed and the rod in retracted position, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, spaced wing members on the end of the arm having vertically arranged slots and having a socket formed on the under side thereof, a foot lever having a pin mounted in said slot and having a projecting end adapted to extend in said socket, a pedal member at the opposite end of said foot lever, a fulcrum member intermediate the ends of the lever for pivotally mounting said lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the opposite end of the lever effects reciprocation of the rod and opening of the valve, and means for rotatably supporting the rod whereby the lever may be adjusted arcuately relatively to the axis of the rod.

4. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged reciprocating rod operably connected with the valve, a spring for retaining the valve closed and the rod in retracted position, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, a foot lever, means hingedly connecting one end of the foot lever to the arm so' that the foot lever is movable into substantially parallel relation with the rod, a pedal member at the opposite end of said foot lever, a fulcrum member intermediate the ends of the lever for pivotally mounting said lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the opposite end of the lever effects reciprocation of the rod and opening of the valve, and means for rotatably supporting the rod whereby the lever may be adjusted arcuately relatively to the axis of the rod.

5. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged reciprocating rod operably connected with the valve, a spring housed by said rod for retaining the valve closed and the rod in retracted position, a later- .ally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, spaced wing members on the end of the arm having vertically arranged slots and having a socket formed on the under side thereof, a foot lever having a pin mounted in said slot and having a projecting end adapted to extend in said socket, a pedal member at the opposite end of said foot lever, a fulcrum member intermediate the ends of the lever for pivotally mounting said lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the opposite end of the lever eifects reciprocation ofthe rod and opening of the valve, and means for rotatably supporting the rod whereby the lever may be adjusted arcuately relatively to the axis of the rod.

, 6. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a spring normally retaining the valve in closed position, a vertically positioned rod connected with the valve, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, a foot lever having one end removably and hingedly engaged with the arm, a fulcrum for the foot lever arranged to engage a support to effect operation of the rod and lifting of the valve against tension of the spring when the outer end of the foot lever is depressed, and means rotatably supporting the rod to effect arcuate adjustment of the lever from said rod.

7. In a liquid dispenser of the character de scribed, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged rotatable reciprocating rod operably connected with the valve, 9. laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod, spaced wing members on the end .of the arm having vertically arranged slots and having a socket formed on the under side thereof, a foot lever having a pin mounted in said slot and having a projecting end adapted to extend in said socket, a pedal member at the opposite end of said foot lever, and a fulcrum intermediate the ends of the lever for pivotally mounting said lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the opposite end of the lever efl'ects reciprocation of the rod and opening of the valve.

8. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a rod operably connected with the valve, a foot lever for actuating the rod, means for hinging the foot lever to the rod, and means for reciprocably supporting the rod including means for rotatably supporting the rod whereby the foot lever is selectively positioned arcuately with respect to the rod.

9. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of the liquid from the dispenser, a rod connected with the valve, means for reciprocably mounting the rod relatively to the dispenser, a laterally extending arm fixed to the lower end of the rod and having a socket, a foot lever, means hingedly mounting the foot lever on said arm, an extension on theend of the foot lever engaging in said socket, a pedal member at the opposite end of the foot lever, and a fulcrum for the foot lever for pivoting the foot lever so that when the pedal member is depressed the extension on said lever eflects reciprocation of the rod and opening of the valve.

10. In a liquid dispenser of the character described, a valve controlling flow of liquid from the dispenser, a vertically arranged rod operably connected with the valve, 9. laterally extending arm fixed tothe lower end of the rod, a lever, means hinging the lever to the arm, and an extension on the lever for engaging the arm to 1b eflect reciprocation of the rod upon actuation of NEWTON S. HILLYARD.

the lever. 

